And when they left the hotel to go to Ascot, he loved her outfit and complimented her, especially on the hat.
“You don’t look like a woman who writes crime stories,” he whispered as they got in the car.
His horse was a new one, and a long shot to win, the odds were ten to one, but it won. Alex had bet heavily on him and was thrilled. And so was Jerry.
Every royal was there that day, except the queen herself, who had the flu. But they got to ogle and watch and talk about them. He made her laugh and he introduced her to a great many people that he knew. It was a perfect day, and exactly right for the moment and the time in her life. Everything had its time, she thought to herself as she watched him chatting with friends and enjoying himself. He seemed like a good person, and he was very kind to her, and was proud to be with her, as she was with him. They rode back to their respective farms together, talking about the day.
And the day after Ascot, Rose called her.
“I have some big news for you,” she said. “You’re being given a very important award. The Mystery Writers of America want to give you a Grand Master Award.” It was a very big honor, one of the highest in her field. “Who do you want to accept it for you?” Alex was startled by the question.
“I have to think about it.” There weren’t many people for her to choose from. Bert was gone, and Miles, whom she might have chosen. Bert probably would have refused. He didn’t like formal receptions. “Would you mind accepting it for me?” she asked her agent.
“I’d be honored,” Rose said, and meant it. Their association went back twenty years now, and although they weren’t intimates or confidantes, they were good friends, and had accomplished great things together. Their talents and goals had complemented each other.
“Could I come too? As your guest. I’d love to see the ceremony, even though I can’t pick up the award myself.”
“You could, you know, accepting it for Mr. Green?”
“What if someone suspected who I was?”
“Why would they? And if you accept the award, you’d have the thrill of being part of the event. I think you should do it.”
“I’ll see. Let’s go together, and I’ll see how I feel when I’m there. When is it?” Rose told her the date. It was in New York, and a major event at the Pierre, in the Grand Ballroom. And then Alex thought of something. “Can I bring one other person?”
“Of course. I’ll get three seats.” She couldn’t get enough seats for the nuns.
She drove over to Jerry’s place after the call, and told him all about it. It was an important book award and he knew of it. He was very impressed and pleased for her.
“That’s a huge deal, Alex! Congratulations!”
“Would you come?” she asked him softly. “With me, I mean. It’s in New York.” She told him the date, and he said he was free and had to be in New York that week anyway.
“Well, put it on your dance card.” She looked shy as she said it.
“I most certainly will.” She stayed for a while to talk to him, and he told her that it meant a great deal to him to go to the award ceremony with her, even if she didn’t actually go onstage herself to accept the award, and someone else would. She said her agent was going to do it. But he was excited to be there with her.
“I think you should accept it yourself,” he said, sounding very definite about it. “You can always pretend to be Mr. Green’s assistant.”
“That’s what Rose said, my agent. I think it would feel odd. And it would be a shame to risk blowing my cover now, after all these years.”
“It might be. But you deserve the glory of your accomplishments. You’ve lived in the shadows for a long time.”
“I’ve had no choice except to live in the shadows.” Alex wondered what Bert would say, or Miles, the two men whose advice she trusted most. “I’ll think about it,” she said to Jerry, but it didn’t look like she’d do it. She had kept the secret for too long to throw caution to the wind now. Jerry insisted she could accept the award without exposing herself, as Rose had said.
Alex flew to New York two days before the ceremony so she could see Rose at her office to talk about the future books, meet with her publishers, and do some shopping. Jerry was already there, staying at the Four Seasons, and he was happy to see her. They had dinner at La Grenouille to celebrate, the night before the award ceremony.
The night of the award, Jerry met Alex in her suite at the Pierre. He was impeccably dressed in a dark blue suit, a tie, and a pale blue shirt. He looked like a banker. They walked into the event together, and no one paid any attention to her. Rose was waiting for them in a chic black dinner suit. Alex was wearing a navy Chanel cocktail dress she bought in London for the event.
The ceremony was long and impressive, as the honorees went up to receive their Edgar statues. Alex was the last one, and hers was for an extraordinary literary career and lifetime achievement.
“I feel ancient,” she said to Jerry. “Listening to them, it makes me sound like I’m ninety.” She was nervous and he squeezed her hand.
“And very accomplished,” he added with a smile.
They called Alexander Green to the podium, and were aware he wasn’t coming. Alex didn’t stir as Rose stood up, ready to go, and suddenly Alex stopped her with a gentle smile, and stood up and moved forward.
Alex walked gracefully toward the stage, accepted the award, and thanked the commission on behalf of Mr. Green. A photographer took her picture holding it. It was a funny little statue depicting Edgar Allan Poe, with black hair, a blue shirt, and a black tie. She saw Rose and Jerry smiling proudly at her with tears in their eyes. And she could feel Miles and Bert and her father there with her.
They didn’t announce her name when she collected the award. They didn’t have to. She knew she had written the books and so did the people she loved, and now Jerry did too. It was a sign of her trust that she had told him. It would allow her to have an honest relationship with him, as she’d had with Miles.
It was a proud moment in her career. And Bert was right again. The Right Man had come along at the Right Time, twice in a lifetime, and both of them had found her. It was perfect timing.
She was beaming as she walked toward Jerry, holding the statue, and when she reached him, he kissed her.
“I love you, Mr. Green,” he whispered, and they both laughed, as the entire room stood up and gave her the standing ovation she deserved. It was for Alexander Green, but it didn’t matter. Alex, Rose, and Jerry knew it was for her.
To my very special, much loved children, Beatrix, Trevor, Todd, Samantha, Nick, Victoria, Vanessa, Maxx, and Zara, May you work hard, love well, and be greatly loved, and may all your victories and accomplishments be celebrated and appreciated.
Anything and everything you wish is possible, and good things happen at the right time.
I love you with all my heart and soul, Mom/DS